Cluster Development Projects – Cooperation with KGHM S.A.
Our Cluster is actively engaged in undertaking strategic R&D cooperation with KGHM S.A.., focusing on innovative projects.
We plan to take an active part in a key project on the innovative use of flotation wastes from, among others, Iron Bridge Lake. The goal of the project is to transform these materials into valuable resources in three main areas:
- Recovery of Secondary Raw Materials: Conducting research to recover valuable metals and nonmetals from waste deposits .
- Application in Construction: Development of technology to convert mineral fractions into full-fledged and durable building materials.
- Agricultural Solutions: Create technologies to use recycled waste as components in the production of mineral fertilizers.
The basis of the innovation is the solutions protected by patents Nos. 232492 and 238072. We expect that the research work may lead to improvements in the protected technologies and, consequently, to the filing of additional patent applications.
The Polish Basalt Technologies Cluster is currently in the process of finalizing the formal approvals necessary to begin work.
Photo: Żelazny Most Lake (full name: “Żelazny Most” Mining Waste Disposal Facility)
Participation of the PTB Cluster in the 6th Edition of the PAIH Business Forum 2025.
On November 5-7, representatives of the Polish Basalt Technologies cluster took part in the sixth edition of the PAIH Business Forum, which took place at the PGE National Stadium in Warsaw. It was one of the most important events for the Polish SME sector, dedicated to expansion and investment, bringing together more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, foreign trade experts and government representatives.
The cluster’s presence at the forum was of a promotional and export nature. The event provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen contacts with experts of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and to directly present the potential of basalt technologies on international markets. The main purpose of participation was to gain substantive support for entry into new markets and to establish relationships with partners capable of global commercialization of cluster members’ innovations.
The Business Forum, in line with PAIH’s mission, was a platform for an intensive exchange of knowledge on global and local challenges facing Polish exporters. Participation in panels devoted to the markets of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as the role of new technologies in exports, was crucial for the cluster to update its international development strategy. The forum confirmed that innovative Polish products, such as those based on basalt technologies, have a real chance of scaling overseas.
Participation of the PTB Cluster in the summary conference of the Benchmarking of Clusters edition 2024
On November 18 this year, representatives of the PTB Cluster took part in a conference summarizing the seventh edition of the cyclical survey “Benchmarking of Clusters in Poland edition 2024”, organized by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP). The event brought together cluster managers and innovation experts, providing a key reference point for assessing the condition of the Polish cluster ecosystem.
The presence of the PTB Cluster at the conference was analytical and strategic in nature. The report, covering 42 clusters operating in the most dynamic specializations of the national economy, provided a cross-sectional analysis of the condition and potential of these organizations in 2022-2023 and showed their role in digital, green and resilience transformation. The main objective of the participation was an in-depth analysis of the position of the PTB Cluster against the background of national leaders and identification of areas in need of strategic development.
The conference was a platform for substantive discussions on internationalization, R&D potential and cluster resilience – a new category introduced in this edition of the survey. New analytical areas were also introduced, including inter-cluster cooperation and web accessibility analysis. The meeting also provided a glimpse of the impressive scale of the benchmarking – data for analysis was collected from almost half of the clusters actively operating in Poland. In addition, a valuable European perspective was brought by a speaker from the European Commission, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of shaping the future funding perspective for 2028-2034. Conclusions from the event confirmed the need to further professionalize management and strengthen the position of the PTB Cluster as a key tool for the transfer of innovative basalt technologies in the Polish and international markets.
Networking at Horizon4Poland’2025 event
On November 18, 2025, representatives of the PTB Cluster took part in the Horizon4Poland ’25, the largest matchmaking event in Poland dedicated to the Horizon Europe program. The conference, organized, among others, by the Branch Contact Points (BPK), was held at the Museum of Polish History in Warsaw and gathered about 500 participants – entrepreneurs, scientists and representatives of innovation support institutions.
The presence of the PTB Cluster was of a networking and development nature. The main purpose of participation was to actively expand the academic network of contacts, capable of supporting Cluster members with expertise in research and development (R&D) projects and in the formation of strong international consortia. The event was a key platform for arranging one-on-one meetings (matchmaking) with representatives of research and development units and R&D institutions.
The event also enabled direct contact with Industry Focal Points, which can be helpful for obtaining expert support in preparing proposals and successfully applying for funds from Horizon Europe (the largest R&D program in the history of the EU, with a budget of €95.5 billion for 2021-2027).
Agreement with Zielona Gora Business Integrator (ZIBI)
The Polish Basalt Technologies (PTB) cluster plans to sign a formal cooperation agreement with the Zielona Gora Business Integrator (ZIBI).
This important partnership aims to strengthen the position of the PTB Cluster in the Lubuskie market and expand the business network for its members in the Zielona Gora region. ZIBI’s role will be crucial in facilitating access to the local business community and business environment institutions.
The formal signing of the document will take place in the near future, which will initiate sustained cooperation aimed at supporting innovation and commercialization of basalt technologies at the regional level.
Work is underway to implement the recommendations of the Cluster Council. In particular, a model for raising funds by the Cluster is being prepared. The MODEL NAMED: “Coordination / implementation service for the principal” will consist of services:
- Needs analysis and unit customization.
- Verification of the readiness of the institution to carry out the task.
- Organizational support of the contact.
- Supervision of proper communication and implementation.
- Formal and substantive counseling (if applicable).
The implementation of the model is expected to allow the cluster to legally and transparently collect fees for bringing entities together, without violating public finance and procurement regulations. It will also allow the cluster to continue not collecting membership fees.
Preliminary work is also underway on the second element recommended by the Cluster Council, i.e. tuning the cluster’s strategy to the increasing monetization opportunities associated with the established and rapidly growing business ecosystem of the Polish Basalt Technologies Cluster. As recommended by the Cluster Council, this is to be a practical and effective implementation of widening of business ecosystem borders.
ü Personnel changes in the Supporting Entity of the Cluster Coordinator Lukasiewicz Institute – ITECH
Cluster Manager Dr. Artur Kwasniewski, who is also a member of the Cluster Council, retired from his alma mater, Lukasiewicz Institute – ITECH, in September this year.
As a result of the decision of the Cluster Coordinator and Supporting Entity, Dr. Natalia Ziemiańska, Eng. was entrusted with the function of PTB Cluster Manager. Thus, the formalities of organizational changes were completed. This will allow the smooth safeguarding of the interests of members and partners of the PTB Cluster and the uninterrupted continuation of strategic and project activities.
Dr. Ing. Natalia Zieminskaya is an experienced manager and engineer, specializing in conducting research, implementing technological innovations and optimizing industrial processes. Recently, within the framework of cooperation with Łukasiewicz Research Network – ITECH Institute of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Natalia Zieminska is engaged in areas in the field of energy and technology foresight research and ESG analytics, among others.
We thank you for your trust so far and pledge that we will make every effort to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of our initiative.
ü Dear members of the Polish Basalt Technologies Cluster, we kindly request you to send folders, catalogs, flyers and company gadgets to our headquarters.
Please send us your current folders, gadgets, catalogs, flyers in the form of printed materials, which will be available for viewing at the headquarters of the Polish Basalt Technologies Cluster and during trade fair events. In our headquarters there is a display of materials of member companies. The Polish Basalt Technologies Cluster also appears at many industry events. Each time we provide catalogs with products, services of our cluster companies. Materials in English are also welcome. Please deliver catalogs and shipments to: Polish Basalt Technologies Cluster, 87 Żelazna St., 00-897 Warszawa. Please send electronic versions of brochures, catalogs and flyers to e-mail: kptb@itech.lukasiewicz.gov.pl